The cities are next to each other and working on a single
skatepark together.

Here is a proposal from Linda Jerofke.

HINES SKATEBOARD PARK PROPOSAL

The skateboard part proposal developed out of a group
of concerned citizens in the neighboring cities of Hines and Burns, Oregon.
The group was concerned about the youth in our community who do not have
an adequate forum for their free time. The organization developed
during 1999 as youth in our community started speaking out for the need
for a safe and healthy outlet for their energies. Many of the youth
experienced personal loss in 1999 as they saw several of their friends
and schoolmates lose faith and hope and eventually took their lives.
This sadness woke up our rural community and pointed to the need for more
youth activities that would be available to everyone in this area.

The purpose of the project is to develop a skateboard
park in the city of Hines, Oregon. The park would be available to
all of the people in the cities of Hines and Burns, Oregon along with individuals
living in the outlying areas of Harney County. Both Hines and Burns
are the major shopping areas for Harney County and are regularly visited
by individuals living throughout the county.

Youth in the community are the primary proponents of a
skateboard park. A large number of youth have skateboards and in-line
skates in the community. Yet, there is no where to safely participate
in these sports. Roads are not safe due to debris (rocks and dirt).
Businesses discourage the use of sidewalks and parking lots by the youth.
And there is a city ordinance against skateboarding on sidewalks.
The only alternative is the development of a skate park. The park
would be an important addition to city recreation facilities.

Children in this community need a healthy and safe outlet
for their energies. National statistics have shown that the health
of Americaís children is declining due to an increase in obesity and lack
of exercise. The presence of the park, along with the promotion of
it, would encourage childrenís use. A national program is now encouraging
Americans to get 30 minutes of exercise a day as part of a healthy lifestyle.

It is also an interest of the Friends of the Park to develop
skateboard competitions. This would promote both cities by bringing
in business to the community. People attending the competition would
be staying in local motels and using other community facilities.
The competitions would also allow the youth to be directly involved in
a community activity from start to finish. Community children have
indicated that they are interested in being directly involved in the competitions.